No one paying any attention to the unfolding coronavirus crisis will need to be told we are in uncharted territory.
Every day there are new demands made on the public to underline the threat to our way of life from Covid-19 – and who knows what else will emerge to test us in the coming days and weeks.
It has been inspiring to see individuals and groups volunteer to do what they can to help others during the early days of the outbreak.
And our heroic doctors and nurses have already shown their commitment is above and beyond the call of duty.
But while these inspirational people exemplify the maxim “we are all in it together”, there are others whose actions are simply a disgrace.
Councils and police have had to warn the elderly and vulnerable people that conmen are on the prowl offering bogus coronavirus tests.
These scumbags go door to door and attempt to cheat people out of £100 by playing on their fears.
They pretend to be from charities like the Red Cross before trying to hoodwink cash from their victims.
This behaviour is beyond belief. It targets those who have most to fear from this terrible disease.
Hopefully the police will catch these crooks and they will get hammered by the full force of the law.
Help the children
Too many children needing mental health treatment are being admitted to adult wards.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition has highlighted that there are only 48 age-appropriate beds in Scotland.
It is not nearly enough, so the rise in those needing treatment in adult wards should not be a surprise.
Scotland’s NHS is under incredible strain because of the coronavirus crisis – but the lack of provision highlighted today predates the outbreak.
It is encouraging that the Scottish Government is conducting a review into the provision of intensive psychiatric care unit facilities for young people.
In five months’ time, we will hear what they have to say. Hopefully it will be more beds and a better geographic spread than exists at the moment.
Young people needing help should be able to be treated in the right environment to aid their recovery.
